Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
352. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the pilot scheme to turn rural pubs into remote working hubs; the funding provided to the scheme to date; the number of rural pubs converted into remote working hubs to date under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12175/22]
View answerOur Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The first work programme for Our Rural Future included a commitment to introduce a pilot programme for the use of rural pubs as hubs to serve as community spaces. I am pleased to confirm that my Department is working well with the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) to commence this pilot programme. This pilot project will examine and pilot the possibilities to use pubs for community purposes outside of their normal trading hours. The VFI will pursue an initiative supporting rural pubs to re-imagine their existing business and introduce new service offerings with a view to developing a more sustainable and viable operating model. I expect to announce further details of this pilot shortly.
